Hives is back on court, refreshed and refocused for this summer’s challenges.

In a busy hectic schedule last season, Hives played in the Australian Junior Fed Cup team and made her debut in the Australian Open junior singles.

Hives took a few months over winter to focus on her studies, but a new coach has her keen to break back into the game.

The 16-year-old is among a new generation of the city’s emerging sportswomen shaking things up in Australian sporting arenas.

We selected a few talented Ballarat athletes to showcase in an exclusive online gallery for thecourier.com.au as they prepare for battle.

Hives is featured with champion gift sprinters Tara Domaschenz, Nadia Domaschenz and Holly Dobbyn – all from the Peter O’Dwyer stable – former world champion karate fighter Shannyn Johnstone-Ward, AFL women’s footballer Kaitlyn Ashmore, Emerging Opals basketballer Abbey Wehrung and Youth Olympic badminton competitor Tara Pilven.

Each already has an impressive story to their game so far as they work to break into the world’s top sporting ranks.